Reviewing Puzzle Quest Challenge of the Warlords
Role-playing and Strategy Mix in this Jewel Swapping Puzzler Game
Oct 29, 2009
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords provides a blend of different styles of gameplay. Originally designed for the DS and PSP, the game is now available on many home systems including Xbox, Playstation, and the Wii. Puzzle Quest mixes the most exciting aspects of different game styles into one interesting and challenging experience.
How to Begin Playing
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords begins in the same manner as many RPGs (role playing games). The player must decide between different characters that offer different play styles. One style does not offer any advantages over another. The different characters are used to offer some variation based on the individual player’s gaming style. With personal preferences, there are typically better classes to suit the player.
Attackers offer a direct play style against the other characters in the game. These individuals gain boosts to increase strength and add more damage against others. Spellcasters, on the other hand, can affect the game board and create beneficial effects for the player. The best one depends on how the player wants to advance throughout the game.
Elements of RPG Gameplay
Like RPGs, there are quests, or missions, to complete. The game begins in a small area but as you increase in level the game world expands. The player has the opportunity to gain control over different areas as they increase in level and explore different lands.
Acquiring new territories adds to the player’s money and provides additional safe havens throughout the game. Money is used to increase armor, which improves the character’s statistics during fights and could be the difference in winning and losing.
As the player moves across the game board there will be various missions to complete. Along the way, monsters will appear that offer additional fights or side missions. Side missions are goals that are not related directly to the story presented in a game.
Elements of Puzzle Gameplay
In Puzzle Quest, all fights use a puzzle game grid. During the game, the player and the monster that is being attacked (or attacking) complete battles on the same grid. The grid is made up of eight horizontal boxes and eight vertical boxes. The grid contains jewels in different colors of blue, red, yellow, and green. In addition, money, skulls, and bonus stars make up the remaining spaces on the grid.
Both the player and monster take turns selecting two adjacent jewels. The jewels switch places and should create a line of at least three similar color jewels. The jewels disappear and the next player receives a turn. Based on the number of jewels that disappear the other player receives some damage. When one player is defeated the battle ends and the grid closes.
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords offers the possibility of complex gameplay presented in an easy design. The gameplay is not difficult to understand and novice players can quickly master many of the game features. It is possible to complete the game easily but to gain many of the additional items and rewards that are available takes a greater skill level.
With some practice, a little luck, and using some game tips the player can find victory in even the most difficult battles presented in the game. If playing for the depth of the game, the player will not just win the game. You will be the master of all that you survey.
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